Letter from Ms. Mary (1/20)

Hey Philharmonia East,

What a nice retreat this past weekend!  And thank you for a very productive rehearsal this week as well.  We are moving forward with our pieces for our next concert, which is on February 28.

At our retreat this weekend, the ComMusication choir joined us for a good portion of our rehearsal.  We were able to work on Merengue del Primer Dedo and Draw the Circle Wide.  Your sight-reading skills have improved GREATLY since the beginning of the year.

We will continue to work on knowing the distances on our fingerboards-especially those half and whole step differences.  At our rehearsal this week, we focused on C#/D, D/E/F, and D/E/F#. We will continue to drill these in our weekly rehearsals.  Knowing the distances between notes is the foundation to all our playing, including our scales.

Next week we will spend more time on Jubilee Fanfare, as well as begin work on the Tchaikovsky March.  Here is the listening link to Jubilee Fanfare.  This week, we found the sections that were similar.  Next week, we will focus on the second part, measures 68 to the end.  Please play through this section 3 times before next Tuesday.  

A reminder that all students need to bring a stand to every rehearsal.  Make sure that you have all of your music in your folder, as well.

Question of the week:  What is your all-time favorite food? You can send those answers to mary@gtcys.org.

Stay warm this weekend.  Playing your instrument and creating music is an excellent activity when it is too cold to go outside!

Some additional announcements!

• GTCYS is supporting Twin Cities school music programs by awarding a $1,000 grant this spring to a public school orchestra or band program in need. To nominate your school band or orchestra program, click here and complete the nomination form by Sunday, January 25.
• Build leadership skills, confidence, and share your love of music by becoming a GTCYS Ambassador and inspire your classmates to join GTCYS. To learn more or to sign up, click here. Make sure you sign up by Friday, January 30.

You all are awesome.  Thank you for bringing joy, courage, and a willingness to try new things each week.

Work hard, play hard.